Legal or Illegal: Seizing Communities. 'Hraparak'

‘Hraparak’ reports: Yesterday, Nikol Pashinyan appointed temporary acting mayors in a number of communities, following the amendments to the Law on Administrative Territorial Division of the RA that came into force on October 6, 2021. The intent is clear: to take control away from former mayors so that they cannot use it during the elections. Conversely, these powers have been handed to individuals who will work exclusively for the benefit of the ‘Civil Contract’ candidate and list.

The elections on June 20 highlighted that the administrative resource is the key to determining outcomes, and even those in power, who have suffered defeat in war and caused numerous casualties, can win if they control the administrative resources themselves. However, there are noteworthy appointments among the acting mayors:

In Jermuk, for instance, Vahagn Arsenyan was appointed; he is the son of the former Republican Party member and owner of ‘Jermuk Group’, Ashot Arsenyan. Remarkably, Baden-Baden has become a campaign flag for Nikol Pashinyan, and one of the most prominent Republican businessmen, who traditionally accompanied Serzh Sargsyan on his trips to Baden-Baden and covered his expenses, is behind this.

Moreover, in 2019, a criminal case was initiated regarding Vahagn Arsenyan's exemption from military service, based on Article 327, part 2, subpart 2 of the Criminal Code, concerning fraud or false documentation to evade military service.

In Vanadzor, the acting mayor is dentist Vanik Ohanian, who is a friend of former provincial governor Andrey Ghukasian, also a dentist. In Gyumri, the deputy appointed is Albert Margaryan, the nephew of the current provincial governor.

For more details, see today’s issue of the newspaper.